Toy cannon



A ril 8, 1941. J. M. MICHAELSON TOY CANNON Filed July 10, 1959 I V jmveiazor @5905 m. mic/aaela'on Patented Apr. 8, 1941 s Ar 1 Claim.

My invention relates to small or toy cannons into which firecrackers or similar explosives may be placed for the purpose of creating a noise, and has for its express object the provision of certain novel features which will give to the device a maximum amount of noise with a minimum amount of danger.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a vertical, longitudinal section taken on the line of Fig. 2, some parts being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a rear plan view, some parts being oroken away and shown in section;

Fig. 3 is a perspective of the device.

The numeral 5 indicates the barrel of the cannon, and the numeral 6 the outwardly flaring bore of said barrel. Depending from the barrel 5, and preferably cast integrally therewith, is a boss 1 through which ext-ends an axle 8. Wheels 9 are secured to the axle 8 by means of enlarged or rivet-like ends l0.

Projecting rearwardly from the boss 1 and barrel 5 is a trail ll of T construction, the vertical rib of which is identified by the numeral I2, and the horizontal part thereof by the numeral l3. The vertical rib l2, at the outer end thereof, is provided with a hole M to which a string or other anchoring means may be secured. The trail I I, as shown, and preferably, is cast integral- 1y with the barrel and boss 1 and is of sulficient weight and length to keep the barrel 5 in a substantially horizontal position.

The firing end of the barrel 5 is provided with an offset boss I5 to which is pivotally secured a breech block l6 by means of a screw ll. Breech block 16 is provided with a triangular or segmental depending portion |8 adapted to drop into engagement with a lock slot IS in a rearwardly projecting end 20 of the barrel 5.

The numeral 2| indicates a notch in the breech block l6, which notch, as shown, leaves a segmental opening in the bore 6 of the barrel 5 when the breech block has been moved to firing position. This segmental opening is of great importance and will be discussed hereinafter. The fuse of the firecracker, shown as extending through the segmental opening, is identified by the numeral 22, and the body thereof by 23.

The preferred method of inserting the firecracker into this device is to lift up on the free end of breech block IE to the position shown by dotted lines on Fig. 3. A suitably sized firecracker is then inserted backwardly into the small end of the tapered bore 6, as shown in Fig. 1, so

that only the fuse extends out. The breech block is then moved to firing position, shown by full lines in the figures, by pressing downward on the free end thereof until the depending portion l8 comes to rest in the groove or look slot l9. The groove I9 is only of such depth as to assure stopping of the breech block l6, while the notch portion 2| provides a segmental opening to the bore 6. In this position the breech block is positively locked against the outward expanding pressure caused by the explosion of the firecracker. It is here important to note that this pressure created by the explosion of the firecracker is materially reduced by the opening provided by notch 2| which, as shown, is more than sufficient to accommodate the fuse 22. Thus it is obvious that both ends of the bore are provided with venting means, and the tendency of portions of the firecracker to be projected or shot out the less restricted end is greatly minimized. This is an important safety factor.

The provision of an outwardly tapered or fiaring bore 6 is also important in the prevention of shooting of the exploded firecracker casing. The butt end of the firecracker is in the tapered portion of the bore and is allowed to expand laterally and break into small pieces, thus materially reducing the force of the charge.

I have found that the above described features not only decrease the projecting power of the cannon by dissipating the force of the explosion, but also increase the amount of noise made by the explosion of a firecracker placed therein.

This device is preferably made of cast iron or other like material that will withstand the explosive forces of firecrackers and the like without bending or breaking.

While the preferred form of the invention has been illustrated, it will be understood that the device is capable of modification within the spirit of the invention herein disclosed and claimed.

What I claim is:

In a toy cannon, a barrel provided at its rear end with a hinge lug at one side of its bore and provided at its opposite side and at a point below its bore with a rearwardly projecting portion formed with a lock slot extended below said bore, and a breech block in the form of a lever pivoted to said hinge lug at one end and provided with an approximately triangular portion depending from its intermediate portion and engageable with said lock slot, said depending portion forming an angle with the body portion of said lever at a point aifording a fuse passage into the bore of the barrel when said breech block is in operative position.

JOSEPH M. MICHAELSON. 

